Bowling game



Jan. 14, 1958 J. DICKER 7 2,819,902

BOWLING GAME Filed Dec. 3 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 1NV$T01L was 1015 P1 5.. 1 BY Jan. 14, 1958 J. DICKER 2,819,902

BOWLING GAME Filed Dec. 3, 1953 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 7.4 8 2 a? A $0 I? .5

INVENTOR. Jvzzw 10122 BOWLING GAME Julius Dicker, Gary, Ind.

Application December 3, 1953, Serial No. 395,868

2 Claims. (Cl. 273-45) This invention relates to a generally improved bowling game, of the type wherein a captive ball element is directed toward an array of upstanding pins for the'purpose ofknocking down, depending upon the skill of the player, as many of the pins as possible.

One important object of the present invention is to arrange the pins, ball element, ball element support means, and support board in such a manner as to require that the pins be bowled over by a carom shot, wherein the .ball element is first directedagainst one side-of the sup- ,port board before striking the pins.

Another object of importance is to provide an improved means for supporting the ball element, in the form of a demountable standard of inverted J shape, readily removable from an associated socket provided in one end assembly against the underside of the'support board in one form of the invention, thus to minimize the overall thickness of'the board in said form, with the entire setting mechanism being located out of sight during the playing of the-game.

Another object of importance is to provide, in an alternative form of the invention, a construction wherein a free ball element may be used, with said element being rolled straight toward the pins rather than directed thereagainst bya carom shot, said construction having incorporated therein an overhead pin setter mechanism readily adapted for resetting the pins with a single throw of a conveniently disposed handle after each play.

A'further object is to provide an improved means for connecting to each pin an associated cord or flexible element, which means will effect a simple and inexpensive, but strong attachment of the pin to the cord.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various 'novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a bowling game formed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view in which the ball element support standard has been shown in transverse section, :the .pins being illustrated in knocked down position.

-vice is designated generally at 1:20.

2,819,902 Patented Jan. 14, 1958 Fig. 3 is -a bottom planview in which thepin setter housing has been shown in section to reveal the details of the inner construction of the pin setter, the support standard being illustrated in its stored position.

'Fig. 4 is an'enlarged, fragmentary sectional viewtaken longitudinally of the'device, substantially on line -44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an-enlarged detailsectionalview "ofthe' support standard mounting means, "taken substantially '-'on line 5-5 ofFig.'.2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged,:fragmentary sectional view'ofthe pin setter means,'taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is atransverse sectional view through .the .pin setter taken on line .7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is atop plan view of a modified form of-the invention.

Fig. 9 isaside elevational view of the modified form.

Fig. 1-0 is an enlarged end elevational view of the modified form taken from the left .of' Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary end elevational viewsimilar to Fig. 10, .thepin settermechanism being adjusted to a position operative to set the .pins.

Fig. 12 is .anenlarged, detail sectional view of the .pin

setter means of themodified form, taken substantially -on line 1212 of..Fig.z9.-

Fig. 13 is .an .endelevational view taken from the right of Fig. 9, :the-full and dotted lines respectively showing the normal and the pin-resetting positions-ofrthe pin setter means.

-Fig. 14 is .-an.enlarged, .detail sectional view substantially on 1ine 14--.14 of Fig. -8.

Fig. 15 is antelevational View, portions being broken from the'left of Fig. 10.

In the form ofthe invention shown inFigs. -l'.7, thetdeiIt-E-includes .a flat, rectangular; support board comprising: a platform 22 .00% ered as 8.15124 .withfelt orithe-like. Aiperipheral frame 26, having mitered corners andan jinwardlyfifacirigz-peripheral -groove:28'tnear;its upper-surface, is of substantially greater thickness than ithe 'platformy-the platform .is being used,=the:'standard is supported in theFig. l;position thereof, and has (Fig. 5) a tapered lower end 36 removably seated-in an upwardly openingsocket 38 formed in frame 26 at one end thereof. The socket is provided with a sleeve-like liner '40 the upperend of which has diametrically opposed, radially extending recesses in which engage similarly arranged lugs 44 formed" upon the standard.

When the game is not in use, 'thestandard may be readily removed from its associated.socket,.and stored against the underside of the :platform, the frame being formed, at a corner thereofremote from the end of the frame in which socket 38 is'provided, with an opening 46 of substantialdiameter receiving base portion32 of the standard.

In that-end of the standard remote from the end 36. a circumferential groove 48 is formed, about which is engaged the annular base of an eye 50, to which is attached one end of a cord 52 connected at its other end to a ball element 54 through the medium of an eye 56 on :the ball element.

As bestshown in-Fig. 3,a pin setter mechanism is provided on the underside of the device, said mechanism including a fiat, elongated housing 58 one end of which is rectangularly shaped, said end merging into a progres sively narrowing part at the other end of the housing. The housing is formed from a single piece of sheet metal material shaped to include a flat cover plate 60 integrally formed with an upwardly bent marginal flange 62, that engages against the underside of the platform. Flange 62, at the narrowing part of the housing, has converging portions 64 spaced apart at their convergent ends. In the space between the convergent ends, a transversely disposed block 66 is fixedly secured to the underside of the platform, and at the other end of the housing, a similarly arranged block 68 is also fixedly attached to the platform. The blocks each have a pair of openings registering with openings formed in the ends of the cover plate, to receive screws whereby the housing is detachably connected to the platform.

In the block 66, there is formed an opening in which slides a plunger 70 arranged longitudinally of the device below the platform. The outer end of the plunger slides in and projects beyond the adjacent end of the frame, and is formed with a knob 72. A spacer sleeve 74 is interposed between the knob and the frame to dispose the knob outwardly of the frame.

Rigid with the plunger is a circumferential collar engaging normally against the block 66, and providing an abutment for one end of a spring 76 circurnposed about the plunger and interposed between the collar and the adjacent frame end. Spring 76 is held under compression, so as to normally urge the plunger inwardly of the frame.

Within the housing, there is provided a V-shaped yoke 78 the apex or bight portion of which passes through a transverse opening formed in the inner end of the plunger. The yoke, at the divergent ends of its arms, has inturned ends 80 engaging in end openings of a re setting bar 82 arranged transversely of the housing. Thus, when the plunger is pulled outwardly, the yoke and bar will be shifted therewith toward the adjacent end of the frame to initiate the resetting operation.

A longitudinal series of transversely extending openings 84 is provided in the bar 82 (Fig. 6), said openings receiving coil springs 86 each of which is provided at one end with an eye 88 through which extends a rod 90 disposed longitudinally of and in contact with the bar 82, with its ends passed through eyes or staples 92 carried by the bar.

The other ends of the springs are formed with eyes 94 to which are attached cords 96, that are passed through eyelets 98 mounted in a triangular series of openings formed in platform 22. The eyelets have smooth inner surfaces so as to reduce to a minimum friction between the cords and eyelets.

As shown in Fig. 3, the eyelets are arranged with one point of the triangle defined thereby faced directly toward one side of the frame, thus to require that pins 100, supported over the eyelets, be knocked down by a carom shot wherein the captive ball element 54 is first directed against said one side of the frame, the direction of initial movement of the element being signified by an arrow 101 marked upon the support board (Fig. 1).

Referring to Fig. 6, the base of each pin has an axial recess 102 across which extends a pin member 104. The manner in which the pin 100 is connected to its associated cord element 96 is, in this connection, of considerable importance, and in the manufacture of the device, the cord element is first formed with a relatively elongated, loose slip knot 106. The knot is then extended into the recess, after which the pin member 104 is positioned through transversely aligned openings formed in the base of pin 100 in communication with recess 102. The pin member has a press fit in the openings, so as to be fixedly engaged therein.

As a next step, the assembler exerts a pull on the cord in a direction away from the pin base, and this causes the slip knot to be tightened securely about the pin member in the manner shown in Fig. 6.

In use of the pin setting mechanism, and assuming that the pins have been knocked down as shown in Fig. 2, one need merely exert a pull on the plunger, and this causes a pull to be exerted on the several cords 96 through the medium of the yoke 78, bar 82, rod 96, and springs 36. The springs 86 resiliently cushion the pull exerted on the cords, and are placed under slightly increased tension, so as to snap the pins to an upright position. The springs 36 thereafter remain under sufiicient tension to exert a downward pull on the pins sufiicient to maintain them in an upright position until they are struck forcibly during the playing of the game.

In Figs. 8-15, 2. modified form of the invention has been shown. This form of the device has been generally designated by the reference numeral 108, and includes an elongated, rectangular platform peripherally supported by and secured to a frame 112.

Adjacent one end of the frame, a pair of vertically disposed, upstanding posts 114 are provided, there being one at each side of the platform. The lower ends of the posts are removably engaged in sockets 116 opening upwardly at the sides of the frame (Fig. 15

The upper ends of the posts are engaged in downwardly faced openings formed in blocks 118 secured to the underside of a horizontal, elevated plate 120 at opposite ends of the plate. Plate 120 is arranged transversely of the device, and is roofed over for a substantial part of its length by a flat housing 122. Housing 122 is secured fixedly but removably to the plate by one or more screws 124, and has one end closed as at 126 and the other end open as at 128. The closed end is in registry with the adjacent end of the plate, but the open end is spaced inwardly from the end of the plate adjacent thereto.

The end of the plate adjacent open end 128 has a guide 130 fixedly attached thereto, said guide being formed in an inverted U shape.

In the plate, below housing 122, a triangular series of openings is formed, in which are engaged eyelets 132. Cords 134 extend through the eyelets and after being passed through the guide 130 are attached to eyes 136 of coil springs 138 (Fig. 12) engaged in openings 140 spaced longitudinally of and extended transversely through a resetting bar 142. Bar 142 is fixedly supported in a transversely tilted position in confronting grooves 144, extending obliquely across the upper ends of upstanding arms 146 located outwardly from the adjacent side of the frame.

To connect the several springs to the bar, a rod 148 is provided, said rod being attached at its ends to the bar by staples 150 and having its intermediate portion passed through eyes formed on the outer ends of the springs.

At their lower ends, the arms 146 are connected to blocks 152 by screws 154. Blocks 152 have aligned openings 156 (Fig. 15), through which extends an elongated operating rod 158, said rod being fixedly engaged in the openings so as to cause rotatable movement of the operating rod to be translated into swinging movement of the arms between the full and dotted line positions shown in Fig. 13.

Rod 158 is extended longitudinally of the frame, adjacent one side thereof, and is rotatably mounted in eyes 160 extending outwardly from the frame. Spacer washers 162 are interposed between one of the eyes 160 and the block 154 adjacent thereto, to limit axial motion of the rod 158 and insure that the pin setter mechanism will be properly located relative to the platform.

On one end of the rod, there is integrally formed a laterally extended handle 164 normally engaged in a keeper 166 carried by the adjacent end of the frame.

A series of pins 168 is suspended by the several cords 134 below the plate 120, said pins being normally supported in an upstanding position on the platform. In the heads of the pins, axial recesses 170 are formed, and extending transversely through the recesses are pin members 172 about which are knotted, as at 174, the cords 134. The cords are connected to the pin members in the same manner as the cords and pin members in the first form of the invention.

In the modified game, the ball element, not shown, is free and is rolled lengthwise of the board directly against the series of upstanding pins 168, rather than directed against the pins by a carom shot.

When the pins are to be reset, the handle 164 is rocked from the full to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 13. This swings the arms 146 from their full to their dotted line positions, that is, from their Fig. to their Fig. 11 positions. As a result, the pins 168 are drawn to an upright position. The handle 164 is then rocked downwardly once again, and this returns the arms 146 to their Fig. 10 position. Thus, the cords 134 are slackened to allow free fall of the pins when the game is continued.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A bowling game, comprising a rectangular board, a frame peripherally surrounding said board, a plurality of pins positioned on the board in predetermined array, a plurality of eyelets disposed in said array and secured in apertures in the board to provide passages therethrough, a plurality of cords extending through said eyelets and respectively secured to said pins, a pin resetting bar, said bar having a longitudinal series of transverse openings, a plurality of coil springs respectively disposed in each of said openings and having opposite ends thereof extending out of opposite sides of said bar, a rod disposed in longitudinal contacting relation with the bar, one end of each of said springs being engaged on said rod for simultaneous tensioning of the springs, the other end of each of said springs being connected to one end of eachof said cords respectively, a hollow housing having a rectangular shaped portion at one end and a progressively narrowed portion at the other end, said housing being disposed underneath said board, said bar being slidably mounted in the housing on the underside of the board, a yoke connected to the bar, a manually operable plunger connected to the yoke, said yoke being a generally V- shaped member with ends thereof attached to opposite ends of the bar, said plunger being connected to the apex end of the yoke and being slidable in the narrow other end of the housing, said plunger being spring-loaded in a direction to urge the bar to a normal inoperative position in which the cords are slackened so that the pins can be bowled over on the board during play, the lastnamed spring being carried on the plunger and having opposite ends thereof abutting said frame and narrow other end of the housing, whereby a pull manually exerted on the plunger draws the cords toward the narrow end of the housing to raise the pins to an upstanding position.

2. A bowling game, comprising a rectangular board, a frame peripherally surrounding said board, a plurality of pins positioned on the board in predetermined array, said board having a plurality of apertures disposed in said array in the board to provide passages therethrough, a plurality of cords extending through said apertures and respectively secured to said pins, a pin resetting bar, said bar having a longitudinal series of transverse openings, a plurality of coil springs respectively disposed in each of said openings and having opposite ends thereof extending out of opposite sides of said bar, a rod disposed in longitudinal contacting relation with the bar, one end of each of said springs being engaged on said rod for simultaneous tensioning of the springs, the other end of each of said springs being connected to one end of each of said cords respectively, a hollow housing having a narrowed portion at one end, said housing being removably mounted underneath said board, said bar being slidably mounted in the housing on the underside of the board, a yoke connected to the bar, a manually operable plunger connected to the yoke, said plunger being connected to an apex end of the yoke and being slidable in the narrow end of the housing, said plunger being spring-loaded in a direction to urge the bar to a normal inoperative position in which the cords are slackened so that the pins can be bowled over on the board during play, the lastnamed spring being carried on the plunger and having opposite ends thereof abutting said frame and narrow end of the housing, whereby a pull manually exerted on the plunger draws the cords toward the narrow end of the housing to raise the pins to an upstanding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,196,992 Smith Sept. 5, 1916 1,829,239 Schnitman Oct. 27, 1931 2,160,451 Athey May 30, 1939 2,211,777 Hinz Aug. 20, 1940 2,361,482 Laferriere Oct. 31, 1944 2,566,987 Humber Sept. 4, 1951 2,670,204 Powell Feb. 23, 1954 

